I glance up at the massive walls surrounding the city. They are made of dark, rough-hewn stone, towering high into the sky with arrow slits that jut out like jagged teeth. The snow has created a thick layer on top of the walls, making them appear even more imposing.
Guards stand on each side of the portcullis in rows, wearing studded armor and holding long spears. Each one wears their Bloodstone battle marks. I shudder and look away from them.
As we pass through the portcullis, the bustling city comes into view. The streets are narrow, winding, and cobbled, with buildings of different shapes and sizes nestled close together. Shops and stalls line the streets, their awnings weighed down with snow. The smell of wood smoke and roasting meat fills the air.
As a procession of eight people rides toward us, I shift in the saddle and try to calm the growing tension in the pit of my stomach. Surely, these people are different from the ones in Astarobane. I study them. Their fine garments. Their horses adorned with jewels and gold.
A young man riding a horse at least seventeen hands tall reaches us first. But it’s not his horse that steals my attention. It’s Adelaide riding in front of him.
Adelaide!
Inwardly, I smile as I think of the first time I met her in Astarobane.
When she spots Luc, her face lights up and tears of joy shimmer in her bright eyes as the man helps her down from the horse and she rushes towards Luc.
“Father. Father,” she cries, her arms outstretched.
Luc moves quickly, jumping down from his horse and walking toward her. His arms reach out, catching Adelaide in a warm embrace.
The man slips from his gelding and raises his hand in greeting. His dark hair falls over his forehead, emphasizing his piercing eyes. Dressed in a fur-lined cloak and leather boots, he looks like a nobleman. His confident demeanor only adds to the impression.
“Kheldar.” Hector dismounts, walks to the man, and throws his arms around him.
As they embrace, the man’s procession comes to a halt behind him.
Kheldar pulls away first. “You’re late,” he says, his voice reprimanding Hector in a way few have dared. “I expected you a week ago.”
“We ran into a problem, but we quelled it,” Hector says, his tone direct.
The man lifts his gaze to the rest of us still sitting on our horses. “Why didn’t you call for aid?”
“We didn’t require it.”
The man shakes his head. “You are too arrogant for your own good.”
A wide grin spreads across Hector’s mouth. “I’m happy to see you too, little brother.”
Little brother?
I jerk my eyes to Everly, and she offers a reassuring smile.
Hector has a brother?
Kheldar has the same color hair. The same silver blue eyes.
The sting of betrayal fills my chest. Hector has lied about this too.
Luc, Praxis, Cenric, and Leah dismount their horses and greet Kheldar next.
Leather digs into my palms as I tighten my fingers around Hale’s reins. I try to ignore the disappointment rising in my throat as Hector turns and approaches me.
“Sol.” He reaches for me, and I allow him to help me from Hale. The moment my feet hit the street, I pull away from him.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, his voice low enough, so only I hear him.
I jerk my chin away, not willing to answer him.
“Problems, brother?” Kheldar asks.
